NPR News: 04-20-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 20, 2025, 10 PM EDT Summary

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Release Date: April 21, 2025

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1. Constitutional Crisis Surrounding Deportation Case

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has declared that the United States is facing a constitutional crisis. This statement comes amidst the Trump administration's continued disregard for court orders in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Van Hollen emphasized the broader implications of this action, stating at [00:44] "If you can deny one person their constitutional rights, that is a threat to the constitutional rights of everybody who lives in the United States of America." He called on the administration to comply with court orders to ensure Garcia receives due process.

The White House has countered by asserting that Garcia will not be returning to the U.S., alleging his involvement in gang activities—a claim Garcia denies. Garcia's attorney has criticized the federal government for failing to present evidence supporting these allegations.

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2. Tesla Takedown Protests Highlight Concerns Over Government Spending Cuts

For over two months, the Tesla takedown campaign has mobilized demonstrations at Tesla facilities across the United States and Europe. These protests target CEO Elon Musk's significant influence within the Trump administration, particularly his role in reducing government expenditures.

NPR's Emma Bowman reported from a protest in Los Angeles, where approximately 100 individuals gathered outside a Tesla service center in Burbank. The demonstration predominantly featured older adults, including many seniors apprehensive about potential cuts to Social Security benefits. Bailey Herms, a 29-year-old protester, expressed her concerns at [01:53]: "I can say I'm a bit disheartened when I see so few young people out here and I try to get through to them that pessimism and nihilism isn't the answer." She further highlighted the intergenerational impact by stating at [02:05]: "Social Security affects your parents. If they don't get Social Security, you then have to take care of your parents. You won't have enough money to take care of yourself."

Despite the modest size of some protests compared to other anti-Trump demonstrations, organizers maintain that the movement's momentum remains strong.

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3. Pope Francis Makes Rare Public Appearance Amid Health Recovery

In a notable event, Pope Francis made a rare public appearance on Easter Sunday at the Vatican in Los Angeles. NPR's Joe Hernandez reported that the 88-year-old Pope, who has been recovering from a life-threatening illness involving severe respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia, appeared on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. During this appearance, a blessing penned by the Pope was read aloud by a church official. Additionally, Pope Francis toured St. Peter's Square in the Pope Mobile, greeting worshipers attending Easter Mass.

Earlier this year, the Pope had been hospitalized for five weeks to address his health concerns. On Easter Sunday, he also had a brief meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance, who traveled to Italy with his family.

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4. Queen Elizabeth’s Favorite Breed Shines at Scotland's Corgi Derby

Scotland's annual Corgi Derby recently crowned Juno as the top prize winner. This event honors the favorite dog breed of the late Queen Elizabeth and commemorates her 70-year reign, with the race inaugural in 2022. Sixteen corgis participated, all adorned in vibrant sweaters. Juno made a dramatic comeback in the final stretch, securing both a trophy and a collection of dog treats, much to the delight of onlookers.

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5. Los Angeles Sees Significant Decline in Film and TV Productions

A new study reveals a continued downturn in television and film productions within Los Angeles, long regarded as the entertainment capital. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reported that location productions in Los Angeles decreased by over 22% in the first three months of the year, according to FilmLA, the organization responsible for issuing film permits in the area.

Philip Sokolowski, a spokesperson for FilmLA, attributed this decline to more attractive tax incentives offered by other states and countries, which are drawing productions away from California. Additionally, studios and streaming services are commissioning fewer series and films overall. Mandalit del Barco added that this trend is not isolated to Los Angeles but is being observed across all major production centers, intensifying competition for the remaining projects. Sokolowski noted that while recent wildfires had a minor impact, the industry is still grappling with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and delays caused by ongoing strikes among Hollywood writers and performers.

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6. Mixed Signals from Financial Markets as US Futures Sink

In financial news, U.S. futures contracts are trading lower. Both the Dow and S&P 500 futures have decreased by approximately 0.6%, while Nasdaq futures have fallen by about half a percent. This downturn reflects investor caution amid the various economic and political developments reported throughout the day.

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This summary encapsulates the key topics and discussions from the NPR News Now episode aired on April 20, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not listen to the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Charles Schwab]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Charles Schwab with its original podcast on Investing. Each week you'll get thoughtful, in depth analysis of both the stock and the bond markets. Listen today and [e-mail] oninvesting or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen says the US Is in a constitutional crisis as the Trump administration continues to ignore orders in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case. He made the remark days after he returned from meeting with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador after the Trump administration admitted they deported him by mistake.

[Chris Van Hollen]

If you can deny one person their constitutional rights, that is a threat to the constitutional rights of everybody who lives in the United States of America. So that's the bottom line. They need to obey the court orders and bring him home so he can have due process.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Speaking there to NPR's WEEKEND EDITION, the White House says the Maryland man is never coming back to the US Alleging he's a gang member, which he denies. His lawyer says the federal government never produced evidence of their claim. For two and a half months, the Tesla takedown campaign has brought demonstrations out to Tesla facilities across the US and in Europe protesting CEO Elon Musk's influential role as the Trump administration's lead on slashing government spending. NPR's Emma Bowman reports from a takedown protest in Los angeles today.

[Emma Bowman]

About 100 protesters gathered outside a Tesla service center in Burbank. The crowd skewed older, including many seniors who fear Musk's cuts to the government will harm Social Security benefits. That upsets 29 year old Bailey Herms.

[Bailey Herms]

I can say I'm a bit disheartened when I see so few young people out here and I try to get through to them that pessimism and nihilism isn't the answer.

[Emma Bowman]

She says younger people also have a lot to lose.

[Bailey Herms]

Social Security affects your parents. If they don't get Social Security, you then have to take care of your parents. You won't have enough money to take care of yourself.

[Emma Bowman]

The protest was modest in size compared to some of the other anti Trump protests, but organizers for the nationwide movement say momentum hasn't slowed. Emma Bowman, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In Los Angeles, Pope Francis made a rare public appearance at the Vatican Today, Easter Sunday. NPR's Joe Hernandez reports. It comes as the 88 year old continues to recover from a life threatening illness that had him hospitalized.

[Joe Hernandez]

Earlier this year, Francis appeared on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica as a blessing he'd written was read aloud by another church official. He also toured through St. Peter's Square in the Pope Mobile, greeting worshipers who'd gathered for Easter Mass. Francis Pope public appearances have been limited since he was released from the hospital in late March. He'd been hospitalized for five weeks to treat several medical conditions, including a severe respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia. On Sunday, Francis also met briefly with Vice President J.D. vance, who had traveled to Italy with his family. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. At Scotland's annual Corgi Derby this weekend, Juno took the top prize. The corgi was the favorite breed of the late Queen Elizabeth, and the race was first held in 2022, marking her 70 years on the throne. This year, 16 dogs competed, all dressed in bright sweaters. Juno came from behind in the final stretch to win a trophy and dog treats. A new study shows a further decline in TV series and films shot in Los Angeles, once the entertainment capital. NPR's Mandalito del Varco reports production on LA sound stages has plummeted as well.

[Philip Sokolowski]

On location productions in Los Angeles dipped more than 22% the first three months of this year, according to Film la, which issues film permits in the area. The nonprofit group found production also shrank on LA soundstages. Spokesman Philip Sokolowski says other states and countries have lucrative tax credits to lure productions out of California. Meanwhile, studios and streamers are ordering fewer series and films.

[Mandalit del Barco]

It's not just Los Angeles that is feeling this. It's happening in every other major production center. And with less work to go around, the competition for what's left has intensified.

[Philip Sokolowski]

The report says the recent wildfires had only a small effect on LA. Filming productions are still rebounding from the COVID 19 pandemic and delays by the Hollywood writers and performers strikes. Mandalit del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

[Jeanine Herbst]

U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. Both the Dow and S&P 500 futures down about 0.6%. Nasdaq futures are down about a half percent. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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